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Pimping my Dahon Espresso
I picked up an Espresso for a song recently in the UK, and have been using it a lot as work has taken me round France and Germany.
It's bloody heavy though and as it's the only bike I actually have to pick up and move, rather than roll around it seems that a bit of light upgrading might be in order! It runs 3x7 Tourney, shifts nicely, the original Dahon wheelset and tyres are solid but heavy, the rear rack is budget, the pedals are cheap folding ones, etc etc. I'm thinking: -new drivetrain. 2x10 105 with Tiagra flatbar shifters, CX70 top-pull double FD. What would be the max chainring I can run without it bottoming out on the ground when folded? Will I need a BB spacer for the chainline...? -lightweight Syntace stem and bar -Ergon grips - gotta have those on a flatbar -those posh MKS 7 folding pedals, surely lighter than what's on there now -Tubus Fly rear rack (a rack of some sort is essential) -I have a new wheelset ready to go on, Deore hubs -Continental Sport Contact 1.2" tyres -Thomson seatpost - it has the pump post which I never use Any thoughts? The existing drivetrain can go on my son's schoolrun MTB which is worn out. I also have a set of Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes but I'm not sure if the hydro lines will enjoy being folded and unfolded, plus V-brakes are adequate. Are there any light and cheap V-brake calipers and levers out there I should consider? Thanks all! Simon |
Well, in what direction do you want to take the bike? Road speedster, gravel king, touring demon, or city prowler? Have you thought of dispensinng with racks, and using instead bikepacking bags? What's your vision, man?
"... -new drivetrain. 2x10 105 with Tiagra flatbar shifters ... " The latest 105, series 5800, is 11-speed. The latest Tiagra, series 4700, is 10-speed, and has a cable pull that is not compatible with previous 10-speed road RDs. Caveat emptor. I would just go with Tiagra 4700 all around. Or, if you don't need a very high top end, a simple 36Tx11-36T MTB drivetrain giving you roughly a very respectable 25-82 gear-inches. Are you sure you want a tire as narrow as 1.2"? I myself would mount the wider Schwalbe Kojaks or Marathon Supremes. If you want a little more style and cush, I'd mount a rubenesque Maxxis DTH 2.3" fatty with trick tan sidewalls. Like so... https://cdnmos-bikeradar.global.ssl....kn2-960-80.jpg |
Stadtflitzer is the route I'll be going - a German word for 'city flyer'!
I've got to have a rack, I love my panniers and hate rucksacks, plus I know zilch about frame bags. Drivetrain will be older 10-speed Tiagra flatbar shifters. 46-36 Cx70 crankset (10-speed), older 10-speed 105 long cage mech, Cx70 top pull FD and a 11/32 10-speed cassette. I bought an 11-speed FSA chain for £10 on closeout recently so will use that. Aprt from the FD I have everything in the parts bin. I've just ordered the Continental Sport Speed Contact city tyres, 559/32, they should be pretty fast rolling and are bloody light. |
I do like my gears and do lots of hilly routes, so I reckon the gear spread I've selected will do the job nicely. Heck, the 3x7 on there now is OK, just very slightly undergeared at the top end.
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What is your plan with the rack? If you want to use panniers on the rear rack you need a tall rack or you`ll get heel strike. A tall rack is going to make the fold much bigger.
I would suggest a front rack, try to get hold of the Dahon front rack. You can put two full size panniers in the front, just be careful becouse they get wery close to the ground. On a folder most of the weight of the rider is on the rear wheel so luggage in front makes sense. Also makes the steering less twitchy. |
Ah ok, hadn’t thought of that. I’ve never used a front rack.
The current rack has little legs that mount it up and away from the eyelets, I had planned to leave these on for the Tubus Fly. Also, I generally use smaller front panniers on the rear which are a bit shallower. I would agree that heelstrike is to be avoided! |
Originally Posted by Barchettaman
(Post 20307927)
Ah ok, hadn’t thought of that. I’ve never used a front rack.
The current rack has little legs that mount it up and away from the eyelets, I had planned to leave these on for the Tubus Fly. Also, I generally use smaller front panniers on the rear which are a bit shallower. I would agree that heelstrike is to be avoided! https://www.faltradxxs.de/dahon-daho...g-sram-x7.html The tall rear rack on the same bike (or something similar) is what you need to carry full size panniers without heel strike. |
It has 26” MTB rims and rides pretty stable with two panniers on the back.
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Stadtflitzer, ha? Having used my MTB to bomb through town once, i liked to be able to go up and down sidewalks, and cruise throgh potholed bitumen (does that exist in the Bundesrepublik?) Its these rough sidestreets and detours that help you navigate the urban jungle with abandon. And for that you need fattish meat on the rims. Your riding style and needs may vary, though...
Originally Posted by Barchettaman
(Post 20307927)
Ah ok, hadn’t thought of that. I’ve never used a front rack.
The current rack has little legs that mount it up and away from the eyelets, I had planned to leave these on for the Tubus Fly. Also, I generally use smaller front panniers on the rear which are a bit shallower. I would agree that heelstrike is to be avoided! |
Well, I’m in Germany so get to ride reasonably smooth tarmaced bike routes and don’t need to bunnyhop kerbs, so 32mm tyres and 32 spokes are normally OK. I’m pretty good at truing wheels so if/when they go out of whack I can bring ‘em back into true. A bit of research means that the MKR pedals (€40) are no longer on the build list. XLC folding pedals are lighter and a third the price (€12 delivered) so they’re going on. It looks like I’ll use a Syntace stem, handlebar and P6 seatpost. All v light and cheap. 20lbs/9kg is the goal. |
Originally Posted by Barchettaman
(Post 20308246)
It has 26” MTB rims and rides pretty stable with two panniers on the back.
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Originally Posted by badmother
(Post 20310717)
Ahh, I should have looked closer. To me a folding bike has 20" wheels or smaller so I just asumed you all think like me :o
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e9a9c0152f.jpg |
Originally Posted by tds101
(Post 20311088)
:p
I would still be testing for heel strike becouse of low rear carrier. Maybe it can be adjusted. |
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I taped rubber tubes on rack as stoppers so that the panniers would not slide forward which may cause heel strike.
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Originally Posted by badmother
(Post 20311404)
Exactry what I expected after waking up :innocent:
I would still be testing for heel strike becouse of low rear carrier. Maybe it can be adjusted. |
Wow, that Dahon looks like it gets some serious use! So, the build has begun - the Conti 559/32 tyres are mounted on the Rigida/Deore LX wheelset, with an 11-32 ten speed cassette. I've given up on getting a Tubus Fly so have bought a Racktime ultralight rack. The XLC pedals are on the way. I will assemble next week, the bike as it is will be in use all this week! cheers all simon |
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https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8615d3add.jpeg Magura hs11 hydraulic rim brakes. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f8396412e.jpeg 2x10 Tiagra flat bar shifters on bullhorns https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...40e9781e7.jpeg FSA compact, 11-32 cassette, 105 rd, cX70 fd (top pull), 11-speed fsa chain. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...90e1135bd.jpeg The finished article! |
It really shifts, rides well, comfortable, weighs 11.2kg. |
It looks fantastic,...well done! :thumb:
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Funny I forgot the espresso was 26" wheels.
Keep at it---your weight goal is still in sight... I have contemplated pimping out a Montague for a full size wheel folding bike. |
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I was a bit cramped so fitted a cheap extender from China. Does the job! Also, I wasn’t getting on with the bullhorns so swapped in a cut down flat bar and some Ergon grips. It’s much better now. |
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